Lady Lan-Syn Virayana

(To a visiting petty noble who drunkenly and brazenly suggested that Jherek
share Lan-Syn with him for the evening. The Prince graciously made the man the
main even in the next day's hunt.)

Appearance

Lan-Syn Virayana is a woman of classic beauty, with strong features, high
cheekbones, and sharp eyes. She is tall (5'9") and statuesque, with an
hourglass figure that belies her years. Lan-Syn does, in fact take potions
of longevity, and appears to be about thirty-five years of age. She has
dark brown hair and golden-brown eyes, which offset the slightly pale, golden
hue of her skin.

Lan-Syn dresses in the traditional manner of central and eastern Ethengar: a
del with high shoulder and the collar, hem, and sleeves decorated with
intricate designs. On formal occasions, she styles her headdress by fastening
her hair with silver and gold grips, then mounting the arrangement with strung
peals and gems. In public, she frequently wears a sheer silk scarf over her
hair for reasons of modesty. On all occasions, Lan-Syn carries herself with the
quiet grace and submissive dignity which have made her a nearly-legendary
figure among Krondaharans.

History

Lan-Syn Virayana was born in Braastar in AC 970. Her father was Ranjit
Krinagar, a Krondaharan nobleman and a good friend of Prince Jherek
Virayana III. Her mother, Medu-An, was Ranjit's strong-willed,
high-born first wife. Lan-Syn and her older brothers, Urmahid and Khahak,
grew up happy and confident, lavished with their permissive father's attention
and surround by the love of their mother, two lesser wives, and their few
half-brothers and sisters.

The thirteen year-old Lan-Syn developed a close friendship with the Prince's
son, Jherek Virayana IV, the best friend of her twenty-five year-old
brother Urmahid. When Urmahid left to operate as a spy in Ethengar for the
Council of Princes, Lan-Syn was terrified for her brother, and relied heavily
upon Jherek for emotional support. This relationship scandalised Krondaharan
nobility-It was just not proper or fitting for a high-born young lady to mix
with men, no matter the rank of the man, nor the nature of the relationship.
Ranjit allowed the friendship to continue for a while, but when his business
began to suffer because of the disgrace, he was finally forced to put an end to
the situation. He spoke to Prince Jherek, who advised his son, then studying at
the Great School of Magic, to break off all communication with Lan-Syn.

Jherek complied and Lan-Syn was shattered. She withdrew from all of her
friends and family and her mother-fearing for her daughter's life-pleaded with
Ranjit to allow Lan-Syn and Jherek to continue their friendship. Ranjit stood
his ground; he had a family to support through his business, and he would not
lose his livelihood because of a spoiled child. At long last, the man lost his
temper, and Lan-Syn was beaten and confined to her rooms.

But Lan-Syn had her mother's spirit-she not only escaped, she ran away to Glantri
City where she gained entry into the Great School of Magic. She took advantage
of her property-control right to use her intricate gold and silver jewellery
(intended as a future dowry) for tuition. Ranjit was completely scandalised. He
had not choice; he turned to his friend, Prince Jherek, and asked for advice.
The Prince spoke to his son, who promptly took Lan-Syn as his first wife. Young
Jherek was not exactly dismayed at this situation, as he had his eye on the
tempestuous Lan-Syn for a while now.

Jherek allowed Lan-Syn to continue her magical studies, although he insisted
that she learn at home, under his own guidance. In time, he also taught his
wife-who proved to be nearly as adept at illusion magic as well as Jherek
himself-the Secret Craft of Dream Magic.

Personality

Over the years, Lan-Syn has been careful to maintain with her husband the
strong friendship which brought them together, although she is no longer the
passionate headstrong girl she once was. She loves Jherek more than life (as
he, indeed, loves her), and understands that he finds it necessary to marry
again, as well as to keep numerous concubines (That is to say, she understand
her native customs, although she does not necessarily agree with them).
However, the Prince will never know how deeply jealous she is of the others,
especially Aleah, and how much it breaks her heart that she was never
able to give him the son he wanted.

Web of Intrigue

Soon after Prince Jherek was killed in a falling accident and he took
control of Krondahar, Jherek developed a passion for a woman named Aleah, an
accomplished thief whom he had met through Lan-Syn's brother Urmahid. When he
asked Lan-Syn for her consent to their marriage, Lan-Syn assented with great
poise and dignity, as she did two years later when Jherek wished to marry Waira,
although she deeply resents both women for "seducing" her husband.

Lan-Syn's resentment toward Aleah and Waira carries over to their sons, Ralindi
and Rejladan, in the form of cool neutrality. Though she is not capable
of fully hating Jherek's sons, neither can she overcome her bitterness enough
to accept them.

Lan-Syn's elder brother, Khahak-left out of Urmahid's great political
successes due to (he believes) his tepid relationship with Jherek-has seized
upon his sister's distaste for her stepsons (and her "liberal"
beliefs) and is subtly trying to manoeuvre her into believing that she, and not
Ralindi, should rule Krondahar after Jherek's eventual passing. Though only
time will tell if this bitter seed takes root, it is aided by influence from
another quarter: Lan-Syn's friend, Princess Carnelia de Belcadiz, who
scolds Lan-Syn for accepting her homeland's restrictions on women in power.

As Lan-Syn has learned her magic from her husband Prince Jherek, she has
access to all the Krondaharan spells, most of which deal with illusions and
dream magic. In the Secret Craft of Dream Magic, Lan-Syn only second to Jherek
and will most likely succeed him as the High Mistress of Dream Magic, should
Jherek pass away.

Lan-Syn's most notable and most special magical possessions are a ring of
protection +5/+2 to saves and a wand of illusions (fully charged),
is inlaid in gold and gem dust, which was a gift from Jherek.

"How any Averoignian poseur can be in the same room with her and
still believe themselves to have even an ounce of class is beyond me."